Telecom tribunal TDSAT on Friday allowed Bharti Airtel’s petition against Tata Teleservices in a case related to SMS termination charges. Bharti Airtel in November 2011 had moved TDSAT seeking a directive to Tata Teleservices on payment of Rs 287 crore towards termination charges for SMSes.

TDSAT also dismissed Tata group firm’s submission that it was not liable to pay as there was a system of "bill and keep" in the sector and every player was following that norms.

A Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) bench said that "prima-facie indicative of the fact that the charges are reasonable" and allowed the petition of Bharti Airtel.

The tribunal observed that Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) had "given a go-bye to the 'Bill and Keep' method by voluntarily entering into the aforementioned agreement dated September 4, 2009.

"Tata Teleservices never questioned the legality or validity of the said agreement. It had paid a sum of Rs six crores as on March 31, 2008. It itself raised invoices on the Petitioner (Airtel), which were honoured," the TDSAT said.